OCOTILLO WELLS, Calif. – Tuesday, El Centro Sector Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) team rescued a distressed illegal alien who was lost in the hot desert while making an attempt to illegally enter the United States.

The incident occurred at approximately 8 p.m., when Border Patrol Radio Dispatch received a call from the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) advising them of a 911 distress call from an individual that was lost in the desert. The man told the ICSO dispatcher his name and that he was a citizen of Mexico who had crossed illegally into the U.S. near La Rumorosa, Baja California.

An approximate location of the man was determined and BORSTAR agents, California State Park Rangers, and Air and Marine Operations collaborated in an effort to search the area.

This morning, at approximately 12:15 a.m., during a systematic search of the area, a BORSTAR agent and his K-9 partner picked up the trail of the lost man and located him near the Ocotillo Wells Airport and Split Mountain area. BORSTAR agents confirmed that he was the caller in distress and performed a medical evaluation of the man who appeared to be suffering from dehydration and exhaustion.

The man was transported to a local hospital for further medical treatment. Hours later he was cleared and transported to the Border Patrol Highway 86 checkpoint for processing.

Agents confirmed that the 36-year-old man was a Mexican citizen illegally present in the United States and will be reinstated for his prior order of removal.

The El Centro Sector’s Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats. We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe. Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at 1-800-901-2003.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.